The SME Stream

Some positive signs from international markets overnight.  American and European markets tumbled on Friday due to ongoing concerns about the Middle East conflict.  Asia-Pacific markets followed suit yesterday, with the NZX 50 dropping 3.1%.  Craigs Investment Partners Investment Director Mark Lister told Mike Hosking trading overnight has been more subdued.  He says oil prices...

There's growing concerns about the economic impacts of the war in Iran. Crude oil prices have topped $100 US dollars a barrel for the first time since 2022 - and our petrol prices surged another 14 cents over the weekend. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says these attacks are directly impacting key fuel sources, which has got economists worried about future prices. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

New builds and townhouses alike have become the best option for first home buyers looking to get into the market.  Townhouses offer a lower-cost alternative to standalone homes without having to fully commit to apartment living, and new builds often mean low-deposit loans and easier access for first home buyers.  Problem is, the boom of new build townhouses is quickly slowing down - they...

When news of events like the war in Iran hit share markets – everyday investors often act on instinct, but what do professional investors do? This week, Nadine is joined by Sam Dickie, a senior portfolio manager at Fisher Funds. Together they talk through what happens to investing when the world is on fire. The Prosperity Project is now available on video! Watch no on nzherald.co.nz or YouTu...

Many Fonterra dairy farmers are planning to invest their upcoming capital return back into their farms. The dairy co-op's been given the green light by regulators to sell its consumer brands to France dairy giant Lactalis for $4.22 billion. Farmers will get back two-dollars a share, possibly by the middle of next month. Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking that farm...

The conflict in Iran won't just affect petrol.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says prices in her domain haven't increased yet, but they will soon.  She says it's been forecast that the conflict could add half a percent to inflation.  Young told Mike Hosking that it will affect everything that needs to be delivered, whether they be by road, sea or air.  LISTEN ABOVE Se...

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 57 part 2, we continue out chat with The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Following on from last week, we get deeper into his past two years as Prime Minister, the recent India Free Trade Agreement, and whether he would work another term alongside coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour. There is no escaping Christophe...

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.   This week,  Many are counting the human cost of the Middle East conflict but there’s also an economic one too - so...

Garth Bray joins the show to chat the latest business news, with thanks to Forsyth Barr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Punishing strikes continue across the Middle East as Iran retaliates to US-Israeli attacks - with Gulf states busy blocking incoming fire. Israel continues to pummel Tehran, and has launched fresh attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Iran has launched an attack on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie revealed what this week's developments could mean for investors. LIST...

Latest confidence survey shows 70% of farms are turning a profit. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford joins the show to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Business of Tech, I talk to Neara co‑founder Jack Curtis about how a “physics-based digital twin” of electricity grids is changing the way we plan, build and protect electricity infrastructure – from Taranaki to Texas.  Neara has just raised A$90 million in a Series D round led by US investment firm Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV), which also invested in...

In this episode, I dive into the uncomfortable truth about why successful women are still getting paid less - even when we’re outperforming everyone around us. I break down the real numbers, the invisible systems working against women, and the subtle biases that show up in workplaces, negotiations, and even expert speaking opportunities. I want you to understand exactly what’s happenin...

New Zealand’s export boom is accelerating. New international trade figures show exports climbed to 29.2 billion dollars in the December quarter - up 2.2 billion on a year earlier. Two-way trade also jumped to just over 61 billion. Trade Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge dairy is performing strongly, with meat exports up a remarkable 21 percent. He says growth has soared with countries we...

A record portion of new bank lending to first-home buyers is going to those with small deposits. More than half of the $1.1 billion lent to first-home buyers in January went to borrowers with deposits of less than 20 percent, according to the latest Reserve Bank figures. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

New Zealand’s exports are booming, driven by rising global demand for food.  New trade figures show exports surged to $29.2 billion dollars in the December quarter – up $2.2 billion on a year earlier.  Two-way trade also leapt to just over $61 billion.  Business NZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking the country produces enough food to feed around 50 million people.&nbs...

Independent economist comments on the state of the world economy as war breaks out in the Middle East. We talk trade implications, interest and exchange rates, inflation, oil prices, equity markets, consumer demand and time frames for the conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Garth Bray joins Ryan to talk business thanks to Forsyth Barr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour leader joins Ryan to discuss some of the day's most pressing concerns See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Propopoly is a startup that aims to give everyday New Zealanders a chance to enjoy the benefits of being a property developer. The business allows people to buy shares in a property development and get a payout when those properties are sold. Founder Dehardt van der Merwe explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Market expert Greg Boland with an update on the markets, following escalating conflict in the Middle East. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism continues to be a major force in the economy.  Stats NZ says it shows tourism spending in New Zealand has hit $46.6 billion, up 3.3% on last year.  International visitors spent $18.1 billion – a 7% jump.  Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram told Mike Hosking this set of data runs until March 2025, and there’s been a tremendous amount of effort invested s...

The Electricity Authority is being accused of tinkering around the edges instead of solving the real issues with the electricity market.    The authority will introduce a set of new rules from October 30th which will force power companies to tell customers if they're on the best plan they provide.   Power company Electric Kiwi's Chief Executive Huia Burt told Mike Hosking that won't...

Business leader Fraser Whineray reveals his idea for KiwiSaver 2.0 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conflict has seen oil prices jump, and could mean higher costs at the pump. But Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it doesn't mean we need to re-think the Marsden Point oil refinery. It ceased refining operations in 2022 and has been converted to an import-only fuel terminal. Willis says it would still have needed to import the oil - but adds there's some resilience in the system. "Last year,...